Evaluation of trends in the acidity of precipitation and the related acidification of surface water in North America

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Geol. Surv. Water-Supply Pap. (USA); (United States)

OSTI ID:6107710

Turk, J T

The acidity of precipitation in the northeastern United States has increased, probably as a result of anthropogenic emissions. Increases in New England and New York occurred primarily before the mid-1950's. Since the mid-1960's there has been no significant change in the acidity of precipitation in this region; however, nitrate concentrations may have increased and sulfate concentrations have decreased. Acidity of precipitation in the western United States is primarily the result of emissions from localized sources. Because these sources are established metropolitan areas, no time periods can be assigned to this acidification. Acidification of surface water generally has occurred in time frames compatible with the hypothesis that acidification of precipitation is the cause of the surface-water acidification; however, there are few examples of complementary data. Trends in surface-water acidification in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, the extreme northwestern United States, and the central Rocky Mountains support the hypothesis that precipitation recently has been acidified in these regions. 72 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Lakewood, CO
• OSTI ID: 6107710
• Journal Information: Geol. Surv. Water-Supply Pap. (USA); (United States), Journal Name: Geol. Surv. Water-Supply Pap. (USA); (United States) Vol. 2249; ISSN XIWSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FEDERAL REGION I
FEDERAL REGION II
FEDERAL REGION III
FEDERAL REGION IV
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
MOUNTAINS
NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH CAROLINA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
PH VALUE
RAIN
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VARIATIONS